“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”Mark Twain

It is now less than 12 weeks until our departure that will sweep us far away, beyond our comfort zone, into unknown and exotic lands. To be honest, even though plans are well under way, some days I still find myself wrestling with these questions: Is this really possible?! Am I able to take my two children across the globe - on my own? Am I romanticising these travels three months in advance? Am I fully aware of the challenges that will surely be put on our path as we navigate this together? The answers to these questions are a work in progress, but for the most part I say this: Yes! I can do this. And yes, I am aware of the challenges. (Well, except for the ones I have not yet envisioned at 2am - as I lay awake in bed, contemplating this huge undertaking!) But it is because of these challenges that our "oh the places we'll go" travel adventure was born. It is out of our comfort zones where magic really happens... The night I revealed to the boys that we were taking almost 5 months out of our lives, out of school, work and busy schedules to travel South East Asia, Nepal and India, then homebound to New Zealand and Australia – the reaction was mixed. My oldest son Ben's first thought was “Cool! ... no school for 6 months!!” (He quickly added the 2 months of school summer holiday that would precede our departure). My youngest son Jordan was less enthusiastic in his reaction and sat listening quietly as I continued to talk. The more I explained the outline of what we would be doing, and that we would be doing it without Dad – a look of horror on his angelic face began to grow. This look quickly turned to an outburst of tears. The sheer thought of leaving his home, his Dad, his friends and school for so long to gallivant around the world, to places strange and unknown, was just too much for him to take in. (And I had not even fully explained “India” to them yet! ) Our first challenge had arrived.

Suffice to say that the boys have moved on since that day 6 months ago and through many conversations, reassurances, travel books, documentaries, movies and a healthy dose of excitement - the boys are now “in”. Being “in” consists of the following:

. Knowing that there will be no school for 6 months. (Important that this point is repeated as it is a big one for them!) And wondering about how much formal "road schooling" Mum will really have patience for. . Understanding that it is best NOT to show their teeth (smile) at the monkeys in India (more in Bens blog about this!). Figuring out how many Rupees, Ringgits or Bhats will buy a new Ipod. (Ben has been promising to bring the latest ones back for ALL his friends because word on the playground is that they are only 20 bucks in Asia (?!)) . Having a whole new relationship with the map of the world.

. Trying to conceive what 18 hours on a plane will really feel like! (Can you say "breathe"). . Understanding the seriousness of “sticking together” at all costs and caring for each other above all else when times get tough.

. Wondering if it is as fun as it looks to ride on top of a bus on bumpy Indian mountain roads!

. Seeing the mosquito as their absolute nemesis (malaria/encepalitis).

. Being excited to finally meet ALL their family in both NZ and Australia/spending time at Nana's place on the beach and learning how to surf!

. Becoming increasingly anxious about all the shots in the arm they need to endure pre-departure.

. Wondering if the “reef shark” is still a shark? (Researching shark nets and how effective they really are.)

. Groaning every time Mum serves up spicier and spicer Asian food to prepare the pallet – and the gut.

. Learning that Buddha looks different- depending on which country we will be in.

. Understanding the concept of carrying your own weight, (hence "carry on" luggage only - and this equates to only 5kg on some airlines. Should be interesting!)

. Knowing, but being disappointed, that we cannot collect souvenirs (due to point above), but can ship them home to hopefully arrive after 4 long months at sea.

. Wondering how much hiking and yoga they will have to do.

. Mulling over what the meaning of “volunteer work” really means and aren’t they too young to “work”?. Contemplating and becoming a little anxious about the sights and sounds of suffering and poverty that we will be immersed in....

.... and the many of hundreds of other ideas/images in their heads as I talk about elephant rides, bamboo beach huts, wild tigers, jungle rafts, desert skies, sand dunes and camel rides, red castles, burning bodies, temples and toy trains. Meanwhile, I'm swooning over mouthwatering Thai food and being in Dharamsala – home of the Dalai Lama. My soul stirs at the thought of practicing yoga in the Himalayas and staying at Ashrams on the Ganges. We talk about what an experience it will be to ride in an overnight train as it moves us closer to our next adventure. I make contact with my childhood friend who lives in Nepal, excitedly counting the days until we see her and her beautiful children. I debate over which organisation or orphanage we should volunteer with and which ones are not involved in child trafficking and "volunt-terrorism". (Watch for our Nepal Blogs for more on this). I dig out pictures of my sisters and brother, cousins, aunts, uncles and old friends and show the boys images of sandy white beaches in Australia and pristine mountain ranges and boiling mud pools in New Zealand – Lord of the Rings Land. We excitedly Skype with Nana about all the fun things we will do in the beautiful Aussie beach town she lives in. The boys and I discuss snorkelling in coral reefs, visiting elephant sanctuaries, and staying in palaces, ashrams and hostels. We also discuss toilets – a lot. And hygiene. And food and shelter … and safety. These are the things that can make or break us in Asia. I remind them that each day may not be a "day at the park" - that this is not an “all-inclusive” holiday (although I may need one upon return!). That some days will be average, boring or worse – "really shitty!" (pun intended).

But this is the point, for this is the journey. Since before I felt both boys float around in my womb, I knew this was a trip I would take with them. I am so very grateful to the universe for allowing it all to come together at this time in our lives. And I am grateful to my wonderfully supportive husband who will set us free for this brief moment in time, knowing how much it means for me to take this pilgrimage with the children, home and beyond.

A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people. --- Mahatma Gandhi

Many people have asked me why India? Some cannot understand why anyone would want to go there, population 1 billion .... but many have asked why I would expose the children to it? To such poverty, bad hygiene and such dirty water. That it is dangerous, especially doing this as a women on her own – with no adult male presence. Have I thought this through? Do I really understand the challenges that lie ahead? About all the things that could go wrong? What about the crime in India? What about all the school they will miss? Aren’t you afraid of them getting behind? What if they get really sick, get rabies, get malaria ... get kidnapped!?

Mmmm … I too have thought of all these things, over and over again. These are of course, serious considerations. (And one can become quite alarmist by reading just a snippet from the abundance of travel advice on the web. It is exhausting!) But I have decided, that these are mainly fear based questions and assumptions. It is unlikely that I will be able to provide an answer that will satisfy, so I say this: I feel pulled to go. I have done so since I was young – and knew nothing of Yoga and where it’s origins lay. I remember always being fascinated by this country, for reasons I am yet to know. This seems a common thread amongst those who want to visit India. I hear that it gets inside you. Personally I cannot wait to visit a land whose people live their lives immersed in spirit. A place where morals and values are still held high. Despite the chaos and the recent bad press - or because of it. I am however, mindful about how necessary it is to know how to travel in India without losing our money, our bearings, our health or our composure! I more than anyone, look forward to future blog posts from India that will certainly delve deeper into this.

"Two of the greatest gifts we can give our children are roots ... and wings." H. Carter

As for the children – I look upon this as an incredible opportunity to show them the world – at the perfect ages. And a chance to connect to their roots. Before they get swallowed by their peers, technology, social media...and teenage angst. To remove them for a while from an often mad consumer driven North American culture. To hopefully return with an understanding of how lucky their lives are and ways they can give back. Is it too much to think they will learn the “meaning of life”? Maybe. Maybe not. I am not responsible for how they process it, but act only as their guide and their protector. The world will be their teacher. I am merely opening their eyes and providing the experience. Their hearts and souls will do the rest. I too will be learning alongside them ... and how refreshing that will be. I have travelled solo around the world before, but I am looking forward to seeing this planet through their eyes now. They will also be my teachers. And as for missing a semester of school? I’m not too concerned. We will "road school" after breakfast most mornings, but they will learn more in the school of life than they will in the classroom.

Above all, and if nothing else, it is my hope that they will extract the important stuff. How to be together as a family, truly enjoying each others company without the squabbles and pressures of daily life. How happiness often comes in the simplest of forms - family, friends, clean water, a comfortable bed, but definitely in lack of suffering and in strength of spirit. That the world is really a small place and that we are all connected somehow. That they return home with all that we experience lodged firmly in their hearts, in their minds and in the way they relate to the world. That they learn how to be kinder humans. That they always have precious memories to call upon and incredible stories to tell.

Stay tuned .... stay connected. Make comments! * Subscribe at the top of this pageto receive an email when we post something new. Our adventure begins August 14th...